Silver(I) Scorpionate Mediated Insertion of Carbenes into Aliphatic C−H Bonds

Abstract

Silver(I) adducts featuring highly fluorinated tris(pyrazolyl)borate, [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]-, catalyze the carbene insertion into carbon−hydrogen bonds of cyclic and acyclic hydrocarbons at room temperature. These silver complexes are more effective than related copper catalysts such as [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Cu(THF) for hydrocarbon activation via this route.